Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek has been grilled over the Government’s handling of immigration after polling showed voters overwhelmingly trust One Nation on the issue, as Barnaby Joyce declared Australians no longer believe the Albanese Government.
The fiery exchange on Sunrise came after One Nation secured a thumping victory in the Secret Harbour by-election in Western Australia, prompting the party to declare there were “no more safe Labor seats” and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to accuse it of peddling “misinformation and disinformation”.
Ms Plibersek insisted Labor would examine the result but argued the Government was delivering “real change”, pointing to lower migration, higher wages, tax cuts, cheaper medicines and housing measures.
But she was challenged over polling cited by Sunrise showing One Nation and Labor neck-and-neck overall, while One Nation held a commanding 39 per cent to 19 per cent advantage over Labor when voters were asked which party was best able to handle immigration.
“Whatever you’re saying, it doesn’t sound like it’s cutting through. Tanya, what’s the problem?” Ms Plibersek was asked.
The Social Services Minister argued One Nation itself lacked clarity over how far it would cut migration, while insisting Labor had already acted.
“We’ve brought immigration down. We’ve almost halved it,” she said.
Ms Plibersek conceded, however, that delivering policy was only part of the challenge facing the Government.
“Oh, I think we need to keep making sure that Australians know that we are the ones that are actually delivering real change in this country,” she said.
“And of course, you’ve got a big part of the job in making the changes. Another part of the job is making sure people understand the changes.”
Mr Joyce seized on the exchange, bluntly telling the minister Australians did not believe Labor.
“No, I don’t believe you, Tanya. That’s the problem. Everyone’s just completely dispensed with any of your rhetoric. So you’re unbelievable,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Joyce launched an extraordinary attack on the Prime Minister and Labor, repeatedly branding them liars while celebrating One Nation’s Secret Harbour victory.
“They lie. I’ve said this so many times. They lie, they are liars,” he said.
“There is nothing more ridiculous than a liar accusing someone of lying. It is perverse.”
Mr Joyce said the result showed the political landscape had shifted.
“Yes, the dynamics in Australian politics have changed and if people don’t realise that they are foolish, there is no safe Labor seat anymore.”
Ms Plibersek rejected the suggestion the result alone represented a federal verdict, noting it was a state by-election, but acknowledged Labor would study what it could learn from the result.
“I say there haven’t been safe seats for any party for a long time. We don’t take any seat for granted,” she said.
The increasingly heated interview eventually descended into both politicians repeatedly speaking over each other, prompting the Sunrise hosts to announce a new rule for their next appearance: “one person talk at a time”.
